These LPGA stars got their first wins in 2023 (and other interesting numbers from an unusual season)

Lydia Ko, a professional golfer from New Zealand, was recently seen confidently walking off the 14th tee at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican Golf Club on November 09, 2023, in Belleair, Florida. The photo was captured by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images.

One of the most captivating storylines in the 2023 LPGA season was the unexpected drought experienced by many of the tour’s top players. Lydia Ko, last season’s Rolex Player of the Year, was among the most surprising to go without a win on the tour. Despite this, she did secure a victory on the Ladies European Tour in Saudi Arabia.

Several other notable players, including Nelly Korda, Lexi Thompson, Atthaya Thitikul, Danielle Kang, and Jennifer Kupcho, also failed to clinch an LPGA title this season. Notably, Ko’s drought has extended to 2019, Thompson’s to another nine, and Korda previously achieved five titles within two seasons.

As for Thitikul, last year’s Rookie of the Year, she impressively managed 13 top-10 finishes this season, which is the most by a player without a win since Stacy Lewis in 2015.

Rose Zhang of the United States was also a standout player this season, and she was photographed here playing her shot from the second tee during the second round of the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club on November 17, 2023, in Naples, Florida. The photo was taken by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images.

Interestingly, while many top American players failed to clinch a victory this year, the U.S. led the LPGA in victories by country with a total of 11. This marks the highest number of American wins in a single season since 2022 and 2018, totaling nine wins each. Notable U.S. players who secured victories in 2023 include Allisen Corpuz, Megan Khang, Cheyenne Knight, Alexa Pano, Elizabeth Szokol, Lilia Vu (4), Angel Yin, and Rose Zhang.

South Korea followed closely behind with five victories, by players such as Hyo Joo Kim, Jin Young Ko (2), Hae Ran Ryu, and Amy Yang.

Furthermore, 34-year-old Amy Yang emerged as the oldest champion of the 2023 season after winning the CME Group Tour Championship at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla. This marked a significant achievement, as age proved to be just a number in this case, as Yang’s win edged out a similarly impressive victory by 34-year-old Ashleigh Buhai.

Alexa Pano was the youngest winner on the tour this year, as she celebrated her 19th birthday by claiming the ISPS Handa World Invitational title.

Another talented golfer, Alison Lee, notably finished the 2023 LPGA season as the hottest player on the tour. Lee secured three runner-up finishes in her last three starts and emerged victorious at the Ladies European Tour’s Aramco Team Series event at Riyadh Golf Club.

As for her performance, Lee demonstrated extraordinary skills, scoring a total of 56 under par in her last three LPGA starts, with a scoring average of 66.42. Lee’s remarkable performance did not go unnoticed, as she shared her emotional experience and the unpredictability of her success in Naples.

The season also saw a record-breaking 28 players cross the $1 million mark in earnings, showcasing a significant increase from just eight players a decade ago. Lilia Vu led the money list with a total of $3,502,303, being one of three players who crossed the $3 million mark, a first for the tour. This original story was published on GolfWeek.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.